Bode Out of Championships

St. Anton, Austria Feb. 6, 2001 (USSA)--U.S. Ski Team racer Bode Miller will fly home to the United States Feb. 7 for evaluation on his injured left knee. According to the U.S. Ski Team's Dr. William Sterett, Miller's left knee is unstable and will need further tests to determine the extent of the injury. In any case, he would not be able to ski in either the World Championship giant slalom Thursday or slalom Saturday.

Team officials had originally planned to an evaluation at a local hospital, but opted instead to have Miller go directly to the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, where he will undergo further tests with Dr. Richard Steadman to evaluate the injury.

Miller indicated that he didn't know what happened but acknowledged that his left ski kicked out.

"Those were some of the best downhill turns I've ever made," he said, while watching the end of downhill training from the hotel.

"It happened so fast. I felt like I was attacking, but I don't think there was any way to avoid what happened.

"I came out of my tuck and figured I'd work through those bumps. It just happened so fast."

Until further tests are done in the United States, there was no way to determine how long Miller will be out of action.